patelldp
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- Jan 23, 2009
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I am not really 100% ready to start posting meaningful pictures for this project yet, but I would like to post pictures of some of the awesome custom made peripherals and components I have received thus far!
The background:
Over the past 3-4 years I have had an affinity for 54mm motors in minimum diameter rockets. This journey began back in 2011 with Crank. This rocket flew on a KBA K700F for the 54/1400 case to an unknown altitude. The Featherweight Parrot altimeter didn't function properly and the rocket flat spun in and broke a fin.
The next rocket in this series was a Mongoose 54 I purchased from Prophecy. This rocket put in 2 successful boosts and one successful recovery. The first flight motor was a clone of the 54/2550 Kosdon L850S and put the rocket to 17,142' and 1,431 mph, both personal bests. The next flight was a blue L1730 for the same case but an angled launch led to a lower altitude (13,483') and a lower speed (1,289 mph), both disappointments. The booster separated due to a high velocity at apogee deployment caused by the angle and the booster was shortened significantly.
That brings us to today. With the advent of thin wall FWFG tubing, I decided that I had to give this another try. This rocket will use 36" of red thin wall FWFG tubing, a CTI molded cone complimented with an ACE-RC altimeter sled arrangement, a Telemetrum 2.0, an Archetype cable cutter, 1/16" carbon plate fins from McMaster, and a linen phenolic nozzle from Loki.
Improvements over previous iterations:
1. The thin wall fiberglass tube is lighter per inch than standard thickness Performance Rocketry carbon fiber tubing.
2. The CTI cone is significantly lighter than FWFG cones and should perfectly house the Telemetrum.
3. The APE-RC assembly is free of all thread for the Telemetrum and is custom made to my specs. HUGE shoutout to Chris for his support on this!
4. I previously used a Tragic Little Aerospace GPS, a Raven, and RRC2+ to control tracking and deployment. This wasn't great as it was bulky and heavy. The Telemetrum and single battery will save on weight and space, as will the cable cutter in lieu of "Head End Dual Deployment (HEDD)."
5. The fins are THIN. I am a little skeptical regarding the adequacy of the 1/16" CF, but I plan to build it and assess the rigidity following the fillet application.
6. Said thin fins will be attached using fin guides made by Nat Kinsey at UpscaleCNC. Again, a custom made part at a good price with great service! Having those thin fins on super straight makes me feel a little better.
7. Lastly, the Loki phenolic nozzle will permit me another 1" in propellant over my graphite nozzle. I haven't ordered this yet, but I am sure Scott will be more than up to the task to provide great service.
I've attached a picture of the guides on the tube with a fin in place. These guides fit like a glove on the tube and the fin, thanks Nat!
More to come!
The background:
Over the past 3-4 years I have had an affinity for 54mm motors in minimum diameter rockets. This journey began back in 2011 with Crank. This rocket flew on a KBA K700F for the 54/1400 case to an unknown altitude. The Featherweight Parrot altimeter didn't function properly and the rocket flat spun in and broke a fin.
The next rocket in this series was a Mongoose 54 I purchased from Prophecy. This rocket put in 2 successful boosts and one successful recovery. The first flight motor was a clone of the 54/2550 Kosdon L850S and put the rocket to 17,142' and 1,431 mph, both personal bests. The next flight was a blue L1730 for the same case but an angled launch led to a lower altitude (13,483') and a lower speed (1,289 mph), both disappointments. The booster separated due to a high velocity at apogee deployment caused by the angle and the booster was shortened significantly.
That brings us to today. With the advent of thin wall FWFG tubing, I decided that I had to give this another try. This rocket will use 36" of red thin wall FWFG tubing, a CTI molded cone complimented with an ACE-RC altimeter sled arrangement, a Telemetrum 2.0, an Archetype cable cutter, 1/16" carbon plate fins from McMaster, and a linen phenolic nozzle from Loki.
Improvements over previous iterations:
1. The thin wall fiberglass tube is lighter per inch than standard thickness Performance Rocketry carbon fiber tubing.
2. The CTI cone is significantly lighter than FWFG cones and should perfectly house the Telemetrum.
3. The APE-RC assembly is free of all thread for the Telemetrum and is custom made to my specs. HUGE shoutout to Chris for his support on this!
4. I previously used a Tragic Little Aerospace GPS, a Raven, and RRC2+ to control tracking and deployment. This wasn't great as it was bulky and heavy. The Telemetrum and single battery will save on weight and space, as will the cable cutter in lieu of "Head End Dual Deployment (HEDD)."
5. The fins are THIN. I am a little skeptical regarding the adequacy of the 1/16" CF, but I plan to build it and assess the rigidity following the fillet application.
6. Said thin fins will be attached using fin guides made by Nat Kinsey at UpscaleCNC. Again, a custom made part at a good price with great service! Having those thin fins on super straight makes me feel a little better.
7. Lastly, the Loki phenolic nozzle will permit me another 1" in propellant over my graphite nozzle. I haven't ordered this yet, but I am sure Scott will be more than up to the task to provide great service.
I've attached a picture of the guides on the tube with a fin in place. These guides fit like a glove on the tube and the fin, thanks Nat!
More to come!
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